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Jackson Miss
May 10th 1895
Mr C A Williams
Dry Grove
Dear Cammie--
To want to say something and to have something to say are two very different things. It seems so to me when ever I begin a letter. If one could take the will for the deed I know I would get along better. I never intend delaying in writing but somehow time moves off so rapidly that if he neglects anything at all it seems like he has wholly neglected his duty. And then when I come to write a letter it is like I have said I want to say something, but having something to say is a very different thing. Judging from feelings at

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Jackson Miss
May 10th 1895
Mr C A Williams
Dry Grove
Dear Cammie--
To want to say something and to have something to say are two very different things. It seems so to me when ever I begin a letter. If one could take the will for the deed I know I would get along better. I never intend delaying in writing but somehow time moves off so rapidly that if he neglects anything at all it seems like he has wholly neglected his duty. And then when I come to write a letter it is like I have said I want to say something, but having something to say is a very different thing. Judging from feelings at
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present I have no doubt but that this letter will be a fair exemplification of wanting to say something and having nothing to say. So forewarning you as I have of the further contents of this letter I had best proceed.
I never think of any of foolishness interesting you and so I better tell you something of my reading. I have read since I saw you several books which are good and interesting. Among the most interesting of which is a book or tract in pamphlet form entitled "Progress, its Law and its Cause" by Herbert Spencer. It is treated in a scientific way of course as you know Spencer never writes in any other way. The treatise that I refer to is not light reading as it requires close reading quite equal to study. The value of the tract is incalculable and its contents can be summed up in three words from homogeuiety to heterogeuiety. I am going to try to
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take it home with me when I go and if I do you may read it.
As pretty a story as I ever read is that written by George Eliot entitled "Adam Bede", while its plot is on the order of all novels its details are unique and there is not a page in the book on which a thoughtful reader cannot pause with delight. It is one of the types of realistic literature. If you ever get hold of the book be sure to read it. I could go on and name and discuss many other books that I have read since writing to you but I should think it best to change the thought some. Let me make a few remarks personal to myself then to another topic. I was elected monthly orator for the Society here and I was just lost for something to write a speech on. So I have finally decided to write one on that nefarious subject "woman suffrage"[.] I have the subject thus--"Should woman vote" and am treating it in
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an argumentative way of course. You might know what side I favor. I am to deliver it soon and I hope that this speech will settle "woman suffrage question" as a national issue as I am sure it will forever settle it with me. It is not as easy as one thinks to write a speech and I have surely found that out recently. Now for a change.
I read the piece of levity that "Uncle AP" had in the Headlight and have thought seriously over the eligibility of myself. Are "Ye Knights of the Club" mormons in practice? If you are just assumed the the [sic] appellation without the doctrine and refuse membership to all those who are mormons in doctrine[.] I think the best plan to get the order wholly pure in that line would be to excommunicate W C Dickson and John Collins. The "Grand Lecturer of X Roads' Jakes" failed to state whether he was a member or not leaving one to surmise that
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he was ineligible on account of his color--by the way he signed his name.
I read in the Headlight the action of the County Executive Committee and think it a wise move of declaring election of county officers. While that is true Democracy that majorrity [sic] should rule, I think from the present mode that Jackson will get in the lead of officers when the election is declared by the majorrity [sic] as Jackson surely has more than half of the votes of the county. What did you think of the action of the State Executive Committee? For myself I shall always favor delegated Conventions in preference to the primary and election by plurality. Williamson hustled for a primary but he did not want a primary when he was out for office.
How are you progressing with your crop? Is the
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season a favorable one? I certainly hated to hear of you losing your horse. It was just like losing $200.00 in money. It does seem that there is no end to bad luck. While they say everything is for the best I know and believe that it is false.
Today is the day for the Millsap College athletes to show the town the result of their training. They meet on the field this evening and jump, run and throw the hammer, and a number of other events. They wind up with a bar-ball game with the Clinton boys.
I hear today that Mr Cowseth, pastor of the Baptist Church of Natchez, who delivered the annual address before the Y.M.C.A. in Jaxon in March, is expelled from his Church of the same offence that Sims was expelled from Oxford for and the same thing that Oscar Wilde was proved guilty of. What is going to become of the world when
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its intelligent men are practicing sodomy and masturbation.
You must write me a long letter real soon and give me all the news
My best to W. P. Stewart
Your brother truly
Mims

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Transcript

Jackson Miss
May 10th 1895
Mr C A Williams
Dry Grove
Dear Cammie--
To want to say something and to have something to say are two very different things. It seems so to me when ever I begin a letter. If one could take the will for the deed I know I would get along better. I never intend delaying in writing but somehow time moves off so rapidly that if he neglects anything at all it seems like he has wholly neglected his duty. And then when I come to write a letter it is like I have said I want to say something, but having something to say is a very different thing. Judging from feelings at